Miss New Hampshire USA & Teen USA 2016 will be crowned this Sunday.  Contestant numbers are posted here (miss) and here (teen), they have dropped in each division but are still higher than their neighbours in VT which is holding its pageant the same day.

Most notable in the Miss division is the return of Miss New Hampshire Teen USA 2005 Brittany Dube.  Brittany is competing for Miss NH USA for the first time but has previously competed in Miss NH (MAO).  Should she win she would tie Miss Maine USA 2011 Ashley Marble for the longest gap between Teen and Miss.  I think this will be the very last time we see a 2005 Teen on the Miss stage!

There are a number of past runners-up competing this year as well: from last year first runner-up Sarah Mousseau is back, 2012 second runner-up Rebecca Scalera and Miss RI USA 2013 first runner-up Jessica Strohm.

Returning 2015 semi-finalists are Allissa Latham and Katherine Doyle.

​The only returning contestant in the Teen division is 2015 second runner-up Destiny Donahue, who was also 2RU in 2013.

Miss Arkansas USA & Teen USA 2016 will be crowned this Sunday in Bentonville, Arkansas.  The pageants will be streamed at www.pageantvision.com.  For now, contestant photos are posted here, although official photos and gown pics will be released after arrivals.

In the Miss division, three of last year's runners-up are back, two of whom are former Miss Arkansas Teen USA titleholders.  2009 Teen titleholder  Allison Kusenberger has made the top five the past four years, placing second or third runner-up each time.  Third runner-up last year was Miss AR Teen USA 2013 Abby Floyd, who was one of the first 2013 Teens to come back for Miss.  She recently got engaged so this might be her last shot!  The third returning runner-up is Sierra Gorton, 4RU last year, who was also a semi-finalist in the 2013 Teen pageant with Abby.  The only returning semi-finalists are  Skyla Weeks who made top fifteen in the Teen contest last year and Haley Pontius, another 2013 Teen semi-finalist.  There are a number of non-finalists back, including Tarole Harris who last competed in Hawaii in 2012.

​Last year's Teen competition was super special with four stunning blondes and a brunette duking it out in the top five - the crown could easily have gone to any one of them - so I'm sad that only Makenzie Sexton is the only returning runner-up!  In fact, out of 42 contestants (ten more than last year) there are only three returning contestants, Mackenzie, semi-finalist Courtlyn Jackson and non-finalist Alexandria Paladino.

The number of contestants competing in each state has become the subject of much interest this year in the wake of NBC pulling Miss USA from the air in July and the sale of the Miss Universe Organisation - a discussion that has intensified this week with the revelation Vermont has only six contestants in each division.  I've heard from more than one state director that losing the "free advertising" for their pageants during the Miss USA telecast has has a massive effect on their contestant numbers and hence their bottom line.  

It's well known I have a love of stats and maps, so I thought I'd attempt some analysis of where we are with contestant numbers available for half the state pageants.  Fortunately I started collecting contestant numbers in 2007 which has made the job a little easier.  Below you can download my spreadsheet, which has three pages: Miss contestant numbers, Teen, and the Combine Miss + Teen stats.

To the right I've provided a handy key of which states have managed to grow their numbers (represented by graduated shades of blue) and which have declined (represented in red).  The first column and group of collective stats are the 2016 numbers compared to the average of the three previous years 2013-2015; the second are the last three years 2014-2016, compared to the first three years for which I have data, 2007 to 2009.  My thinking in comparing to an average of three years in each case is to reduce the impact of any outliers, given that numbers do jump around a bit in each state each year.  Leave a comment if I've confused you and you need further explanation!

​In the latter case, I have only provided stats if I have numbers for at least two of those three years, which has ruled out a few states like Alabama and Mississippi that did not reveal contestant numbers at the time.  

With all the maps I've used percentage change (because you can't compare Vermont with Texas!) but if you're interested in raw numbers, they're all in the spreadsheet.

With the Miss division, the Pacific Northwest states of Pageants Northwest have clearly been the most successful at growing and recruiting their numbers since 2007-2009.  David and Maureen took over Idaho in 2008 and Montana in 2014.  Washington's success is due largely to a spike over 70+ contestants between 2014-15 although that settled down this year to a more average 34.  The biggest losers this year compared to the recent years 2013-15 are West Virginia, Vermont and Iowa, whilst Montana, Wisconsin, Missouri and South Dakota have been able to grow their numbers somewhat.

It is Teen where most states have really shed numbers, in sizeable percentages.  With IL and VT, I'd surmise a change in directors has had a significant impact.  In IL, D&D often had 100+ teens, numbers never traditionally seen in Vanbros states.  So in this case I think it may actually be intentional.  I can't explain North Carolina!

This is where it gets concerning.  Only five states have managed to grow their total contestant numbers this year compared to recent years, whilst five different states have had an increase compared to 2007-2009 (and all very modest growth).   Perhaps Washington's 43% should be looked at in light of 2014 & 2015 pulling up their average for the three years I was looking at, but I guess we'll be able to assess that better that next year.

Thoughts?  Anything else you've noticed?  Questions?  I encourage you to please do leave a comment below.

UPDATE - Congratulations to Miss MS USA 2016 Haley Sowers & Miss MS Teen USA 2016 Lauren Rymer!  Full results here.

The first of the five pageants held this weekend will be Miss Mississippi USA & Teen USA 2016.  The new titleholders will be crowned Saturday at the Gold Strike Casino in Tunica.

Three of last year's top five are back in the miss division.  Jayce Henry, who placed second runner-up in 2014 and first runner-up last year, will be hoping to move up a spot for 2016!  The other two are Haley Sowers, 2RU last year, former Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2010 and fourth runner-up at Miss Teen USA and Chandler Short, 3RU last year and a runner-up at Miss Illinois Teen USA 2012. 

Unusually, the first runners-up from 2015 in both divisions will be competing for Miss Mississippi USA this year.  As well as Jayce, 2015 Teen first runner-up Laine Mansour is competing in Miss for the first time.  Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2012 fourth runner-up Alay'keeyan Wilks has also moved up to the Miss competition.

Returning semi-finalists are Juliette King (2015), Kaitlyn Orth (2015), April Mayfield (2014), Melissa Martinez (2013) and Hannah Day (2005 Teen).

Only five out of 29 Teen contestants have competed previously.  The only returning runner-up is 2015 2RU McKaylan Gray.  From last year's top fifteen Alexis Carter and Regan Ringler are back. Three-time Alabama semi-finalist Madeleine Overby ​is competing in MS this year.

* denotes competing in Miss this year | ^ denotes competing in Teen

Click "read more" or scroll below to view the full list of contestants with notes of past placements.

In the wake of the Trump debacle and NBC pulling Miss USA earlier this year  many states have dropped contestant numbers to varying degrees for their 2016 pageants, but none more so than Vermont where, sadly, there are only six contestants in each division (don't be confused by the numbering, with Pageant Associates the Miss division numbering starts from 10, 20, 30 etc).   Makes for a quick contestant rundown for me but really is so disappointing, especially considering between 2007-2009 VT had 40-50 Teens and an average of 20 Miss contestants.

The Two first runners-up from last year, Neely Fortune in Miss and Tammy Vujanovic in Teen are both back, as is Teen 2RU Kelsey Golonka.  Neely was also a semi-finalist in 2014 whilst Tammy was 4RU (when she was only 14!).  In Miss,  Karly Fereday was a semi-finalist in 2015, and Daniella Doolen was a Teen semi-finalist in New Hampshire in 2014.  Teen contestant Alexina Federhen last competed in *2012* when she made the semi-finalists.

MISS VERMONT USA (6)
Holly Battaglia
Morgan Bazyk
Daniella Doolen (SF NH TUSA 14)
Karly Fereday (SF 15)
Neely Fortune (1RU 15, SF 14) 
Joanna Nagle

MISS VERMONT TEEN USA (6)
Alexina Tamsen Federhen (SF 12)
Kelsey Golonka (2RU 15)
Mariah Griffin
Linda Paz
Kayla Phelps
Tammy Vujanovic (1RU 15, 4RU 14)

A big congratulations to Caley Rae Pavillard, Miss Colorado USA 2016 and Alexis Wynne (Lexi), Miss Colorado Teen USA 2016!  

Caley Rae is one of just a small handful to win state titles for Miss America's Outstanding Teen, Miss Teen USA and Miss USA.  In an amazing twist of fate she and newly crowned Miss Missouri USA Sydnee Stottlemyre competed at Miss America's Outstanding Teen and Miss Teen USA together, and will now also compete at Miss USA together.  When she was a Teen titleholder her "big sister" was Blair Griffith, who herself was Miss CO Teen USA in 2006.  I love how often we see the "little sisters" of former Teen titleholders go on to win Miss as well.

Alexis is also no stranger to the pageant stage; she was third runner-up last year and is the first returning runner-up to win Miss CO Teen USA since 2006!  Lexi's win is even more impressive when you consider she tore her achilles nine weeks ago and competed (and rocked it!) in a moon boot.  Were it not for the swimsuit competition you wouldn't even know.

Two of last year's runners-up in the Miss competition made the top five again this year: Leanna Jenkins placed third runner-up and fourth runner-up went to Sabrina Janssen who repeated her placement from last year.  First and second runners-up were both newcomers, Sarah Courtney and Krystal Harrelson respectively.  Among the semi-finalists were 2015 second runner-up Catherine Compton and four-time runner-up Erica Kerzon.

In Teen, despite this largely being a competition of first-time contestants, three of the top five had competed previously.  In addition to Lexi, 2015 semi-finalist Bre L'Estrange placed second runner-up and 2014 non-finalist Arabella Forcellini was third runner-up.  First runner-up was newbie Courtney Robertson and fourth runner-up was Elena Ehrlin​.

Miss Colorado USA 2016: Caley-Rae Pavillard (CO TUSA 11, CO's OT 08) 
1RU: Sarah Courtney
2RU: Krystal Harrelson
3RU: Leanna Jenkins (1RU 15, SF 14, NF CO TUSA 13)  
4RU: Sabrina Janssen (4RU 14, NF 14)

Semi-finalists:
Emily Carlson
Catherine Compton (2RU 15)
Madison Dorenkamp (SF 15)
Amelia Gilliam 
Erica Kerzon (4RU 14, 3RU 13, SF 12, 4RU 11, SF CO TUSA 10, 2RU CO TUSA 09)  
Shanel Perry (SF 15)
Sarah Robbins 
Bersabeh Terefe (SF 15)
Logan Marie Torres
Hailey Walsh 

Congeniality: Allie Whitten
Photogenic: Annika Sandberg

Miss Colorado Teen USA 2016: Alexis Wynne (3RU 15)
1RU: Courtney Robertson
2RU: Bre L'Estrange (SF 15)
3RU: Arabella Forcellini (NF 14)
4RU: Elena Ehrlin

Semi-finalists:
Emily Bernstein
Madison Gil
Kayla Hardy
Sarah Joel
Brieann Johnson
Madison Leal
Emma Sansoni
Mia Stokuca
Emma Vasquez (NF 15, NF 14)​
Sarah Weeks

Congeniality: Emigine Sisa
Photogenic: Taylor Hartlein

Congratulations to Maaliyah Papillion, Miss Louisiana USA 2016 and Ellie Picone, Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2016!  In the tradition of past winners like Kristen Girault and Page Pennock, Maaliyah was a runner-up three times in the Teen competition and was also top ten last year.  She is 21 and from Lake Charles.  Ellie, a 16 year old from Mandeville, was competing for the first time.

First runner-up in the Miss division was newcomer Bethany Trahan.  Second runner-up went to Miss Louisiana 2012 Lauren Vizza who made the top five at Miss LA USA for the first time (had previously been a semi-finalist twice).  Third runner-up was Scarlett Blades, a non-finalist two years ago, and fourth runner-up was veteran competitor Christina Famularo.  Maaliyah won the Photogenic award and Christina won Miss Congeniality.

Among the top ten were another veteran, Devin Boyd, who has now aged out (I am so sad!), two past non-finalists Kimberly Newville and Krista Toussant and two newcomers Rachel North and Helena Cefalu.  Rachel won the evening gown award and Devin the swimsuit award and I still can't believe they both missed the top five - results are still a little raw for me!  Top 15 semi-finalists included three-time semi-finalist Alexis Johnson and two-time non-finalist Ashley Barbier.  

My surprise that Rachel and Devin missed the top five is equal to my surprise that 2015 runner-up Tanya Crowe missed the cut entirely.  I had Tanya firmly in my top five predictions after the preliminary competition.  I was also surprised & disappointed that Bailey Armstrong didn't place.  Would be interested to hear what others think about the results this year - leave a comment :)

First runner-up, for the second year in a row, was Katie Scannell - the first since Kristen Girault in 2010/11 to place 1RU back to back.  Second runner-up was another 2015 runner-up Paige Goff.  Third and fourth runner-up spots both went to newcomers, Emily Davis and Grace Graugnard respectively.  Grace won the Congeniality award and Photogenic was won by Paige.  I can't remember another year when both Congeniality & Photogenic in each division were won by top five finishers.

Among the top ten semi-finalists were Chelsea Armand, a runner-up in 2014 and 2015, whilst 2015 semi-finalist & 2014 non-finalist Chloe Burkett made the top fifteen.

Miss Louisiana USA 2016: Maaliyah Papillion (T10 15, 2RU LA TUSA 13, 2RU 12, 4RU 11) 
1RU: Bethany Trahan
2RU: Lauren Vizza (T18 15, T10 14, Miss LA 2012)
3RU: Scarlett Blades (NF 14)
4RU: Christina Famularo (T18 14, T10 13, 2RU 12)

Top 10:
Devin Boyd (1RU 13, T15 12, 4RU 10, 4RU LA TUSA 08) 
Helena Cefalu 
Kimberly Newville (NF 15)
Rachel North 
Krista Toussant (NF 15, T18 14, NF LA TUSA 11)

Top 15: 
Ashley Barbier (NF 14, NF 11)
Mariah Clayton 
Alexis Johnson (T15 LA USA 13, T10 LA TUSA 11, T10 10)
Victoria Sagrera 
Ali Williams (NF LA TUSA 15) 

Congeniality: Christina Famularo
Photogenic: Maaliyah Papillion

Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2016: Ellie Picone
1RU: Katie Scannell (1RU 15)
2RU: Paige Goff (2RU 15)
3RU: Emily Davis
4RU: Grace Graugnard

Top Ten: 
Chelsea Armand (3RU 15, 4RU 14)
Hailey Crausby  
Kirsten Graham
Ashton Maggio 
Catherine Miller (NF 15)

Top Fifteen:
Chloe Burkett (T10 15, NF 14)  
Hannah Crow 
Emily Rodrigue 
Alyx Shell (NF 15, NF 14) 
Audrey Taunton 

Congeniality: Grace Graugnard
Photogenic: Paige Goff  

Miss Colorado USA and Teen USA 2016 will be crowned on Sunday afternoon in Greeley.  The show will be webcast at www.futureproductions.info/webcast.

Competing in Miss for the first time, Miss Colorado Teen USA 2011 Caley-Rae Pavillard will be vying to be one of just a handful of women who have competed at Miss America's Outstanding Teen, Miss Teen USA and Miss USA.  She was a runner-up at Miss Dallas last year but chose not to compete at Miss TX USA.  Miss Colorado 2013 Meg Kardos is competing again - she was a non-finalist last year and semi-finalist in 2013.

Of last year's top five, third runner-up Lexy Kadey has already competed in Missouri this year.  All three of the other runners-up are back in Colorado: first runner-up Leanna Jenkins, second runner-up Catherine Compton and fourth runner-up Sabrina Jensson.  Three-time Miss runner-up Erica Kerzon is competing again after choosing not to compete last year.  2014 Teen first runner-up Emily Mulder is competing in Miss for the first time.

Competing in Colorado for the first time is Aspen Olson, sister of Miss Wyoming USA 2016 Autumn Olson.  Autumn and Aspen both competed together at Miss WY Teen USA 2012.  Others from other states include Chris Salas, who competed with current Miss CO USA Talyah Polee in Nevada in 2014 and Brittney Cicotte, a semi-finalist at Miss Michigan Teen USA 2010.

In the Teen division, there is only one returning runner-up: Alexis Wynne who placed 3RU last year.  Very disappointed as I remember loving the other runners-up in the competition last year and hoped we'd see more of them back.  The only returning semi-finalists are Chloe Breen and Bre L'Estrange​.  I can't wait to see which of the many newcomers comes out of nowhere and surprises the socks off us! (this is why it's great to watch the prelims webcast if you have the time).

* denotes 2016 Miss contestant | ^ denotes 2016 Teen contestant: 

Update - congratulations to Maaliyah Papillon Miss LA USA and Ellie Picone Miss LA Teen USA!  

Miss Louisiana USA and Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2016 will be held this Saturday, as Miss Teen USA Katherine Haik will be celebrated by her home state.  Contestant photos are posted here (Miss) and here (Teen).   Also check out the Fantasy Campers - they might be your next Miss Teen USA in a few years!  Katherine herself went from Fantasy Camper in 2014, to Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2015, to Miss Teen USA :)

 (Despite the roster being packed with returning contestants Louisiana is missing some of its perennial and most well-known competitors this year: Lauren Whittle has aged out, Whitney Moss is getting married, Madeleine Langlinais is not competing.  

From last year's top five the only returning contestant is third runner-up Tanya Crowe who was competing for the first time last year.  Six-time contestant and past runner-up Devin Boyd is back, however, as is Maaliyah Papillon, three-time Teen runner-up and top 10 semi-finalist last year.  There is also Bailey Armstrong, second runner-up to Katherine in the Teen pageant last year and first runner-up the year before, who has moved up to the Miss division. Christina Famularo, second runner-up in 2012 and a semi-finalist twice since is also back.  Lauren Vizza, Miss Louisiana 2012 and a two-time semi-finalist, will be hoping to be crowned by her Miss America sister! (outgoing Miss LA USA Candice Bennatt was Miss NM 2012).

Candice was the first contestant with no prior Miss or Teen USA state experience to win Miss Louisiana USA  in at least 17 years - but given she'd previously competed at Miss America it's hard to class her as a "true" newbie.  Will be interesting to see if another newcomer can break through this year. ​  Louisiana past state results are here.

Also interesting to note another year with no former Teens competing.  With the exception of Brittany Guidry in 2014, there have been no other former Teens back in Louisiana since 2007! (more stats & photos on that here)

All three of Katherine's other runners-up are back - check here for swimsuit & gown pics from last year.. They are first runner-up Katie Scannell, third runner-up Chelsea Armand (who was also fourth runner-up in 2014) and fourth runner-up Paige Goff.  Other returning semi-finalists are Chloe Burkett (T10 15), Emma Johnson (T10 15)  and J'Lynn Shelby (T15 15).

* denotes 2016 Miss contestant | ^ denotes 2016 Teen contestant:

Stormy Keffeler is the new Miss Washington Teen USA and Claire Wright is Miss Washington Teen USA 2016!  Stormy is 23 and from Seattle.  She was a non-finalist in 2015 and semi-finalist in 2014. Claire is 18 and from Fall City.  She is a newcomer to Miss Washington Teen USA but has previously competed in other pageant systems (as has Stormy).

"“With good work ethic and determination it is impossible to be ignored." As a former professional football player and business owner this is Stormy's motto. Being a freelance hair and make-up artist, Stormy enjoys bringing women's inner beauty outward while studying journalism to pursue her dream of becoming a sports sideline commentator. Keep an eye on ESPN for 23 year old, Stormy Keffeler."

"After experiencing severe bullying in middle school, Claire became passionate to change the mindset of youth. She created an inspirational program, PROJECT CLAIRE BEAR, which has aided hundreds of children in learning to overcome their challenges. Claire is a senior at Eastside Catholic High School, where she is a National Honor Society member and leader. She plans to obtain her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and become a broadcast journalist for a major network."